PCA or Nurse Extern....my search begins.

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Hi all, I am entering my second and final year of my ADN. I applied for a PCA and a Nurse Extern position at two different hospitals. I am confused, does it matter which one I get (if offered)? I do understnad a PCA is different from being an RN, but is it similar to a Nurse Extern? Both of the descriptions were similar (See below). I am mainly trying to get more experience with patients and to become more comfortable in a hospital setting.

Another question. If you recently got a job, how long did the search take? How many positions did you apply for. Both of the jobs I applied for are contingent. I only want a few days a month just to get my feet wet. I was really surprised to see so many of these positions open (appx 3 or 4 at each hospital).

For the Nurse Extern:

Under general supervision of a Head Nurse or designated Registered Nurse preceptor, performs various patient care activities and services to provide for the personal and the therapeutic needs, safety and comfort of patients. EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Completion of one year of Associate Degree Program in Nursing required or in Senior year of another program. Completion of an on the job training period of one to three months required.

For the PCA:

Delivers patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Demonstrates simple dressing changes, Blood Glucose monitoring and assists with other procedures; assists patient with activities of daily living.

High School Diploma or equivalent; Previous Patient Care Associate experience and/or Nurse Aide Certification required or Current nursing student with at least one clinical/surgical clinical rotation completed. Computer literate, and proficient on hospital systems.

What cha think?:uhoh21:

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In my area, the extern positions are designed specifically for nursing students - sounds like yours is too. While they'll be paying you (and it pays better than CNA/PCT in my area too), you'll have a preceptor or preceptors as mentioned in the job description, and have a larger scope of practice - you won't be able to pass meds, but you may be allowed to practice skills that you have been checked off in at school that CNAs/PCTs are not allowed to perform. Given a choice, I'd take the extern position. I'm in accelerated program though, so I'm not working while in school.

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The job description for the extern position reads like it is geared more for someone like you. The other reads that any high school grad with a little experience can get the job. I think by comparing the two job descriptions, I would take the extern position. JMO

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I would go with the Extern position.

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Extern, extern, extern.

Did I say extern??? Yes. I do believe I did.

E - experience. Youll get to do tons of things.

X - x-tra pay. Externs get paid more that PCA's, whatever they are.

T - time!! You'll get ample opportunity to work as much time as you'd

like! ( I know that's not priority right now.)

E - efficiency. You'll really learn how to prioritize your work. Ok, so

may do that as a PCA, but it's hard to think of 'e' things.

R - respect. You'll get a little more as an extern, if everyone knows

that's what you are.

N - nurse!! You're practicing to be a nurse, and everyone knows it!!

Ok, the above is a little hokey, but I wanted to make sure you get the point. :icon_mrgreen:

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extern, extern, extern.

did i say extern??? yes. i do believe i did.

e - experience. youll get to do tons of things.

x - x-tra pay. externs get paid more that pca's, whatever they are.

t - time!! you'll get ample opportunity to work as much time as you'd

like! ( i know that's not priority right now.)

e - efficiency. you'll really learn how to prioritize your work. ok, so

may do that as a pca, but it's hard to think of 'e' things.

r - respect. you'll get a little more as an extern, if everyone knows

that's what you are.

n - nurse!! you're practicing to be a nurse, and everyone knows it!!

ok, the above is a little hokey, but i wanted to make sure you get the point. :icon_mrgreen:

simpleplan, you are you are so funny. so what you are really saying is i should try for an extern position? that is what i gather from your post....:trout::lol2:

my other question, how long should i expect my search to take? are extern positions hard to come by? i applied for another one last night.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

OP: I am answering the second question. I have been a tech and I am now an extern. My tech job took nearly forever (6 months) to get because most tech jobs go to people with no goals or ambition (I begged for the job). The extern position I have was competitive. It took me two months to get because the application process was so extensive. However, I was hired the day of my interview!! GL!

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Specializes in ED.

I would take the extern position for all of the reasons listed above. I also think it will look better on your resume when you are looking for an RN position later. You will get to experience more from the RN standpoint rather than just being on your own doing ADL's. Good luck with whatever you choose!

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simpleplan, you are you are so funny. so what you are really saying is i should try for an extern position? that is what i gather from your post....:trout::lol2:

my other question, how long should i expect my search to take? are extern positions hard to come by? i applied for another one last night.

once you apply to a posted position on the hospitals website, the process goes very quickly. the positions are not hard to come by, and i don't think they're very competitive to obtain, either, at least in our area, and damomma, you and i live in the same area, i would wager.

i was hired in the may sweep of hiring, so i am not as familiar with this december/january hiring. i had heard the hiring was done in november, but you would have heard about it. everyone buzzes with anticipation about being called for interviews.

just remember, don't work too much during school. it's the worst thin you can do. i only work one day a week, and sometimes, i wish i didn't have to work that. not because i'm lazy, but because i could use the extra eight hours to study.

by the way, i love externing. you will be way ahead in clinicals when you extern. good luck, and post about your job search.

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